September 20, 2010

The Sleepy Hollow German Shorthair Pointer Club annual hunt test is over and Wyeth ... cleaned up!

(click on photos to enlarge)

As only a nine-month old puppy, she brought home the first two (out of four) legs of a AKC-sanctioned Junior Hunt Test.  So, she's well on her way to a   Junior Hunting title!  Just two more qualifying scores.

Of course, she couldn't have accomplished such a feat without her handler, Jan Nahorn of Mason Creek Kennel.  By this time, many of you know that Jan is also her breeder - and my friend - from Oconomowoc, Wisconsin.

I flew Jan out last Tuesday - a few days in advance to have her work with Wyeth ... and, truth be told, to fix some of the things I did wrong with Wyeth's bird training since I brought her back to Vermont.    (You can smile now...)

     Jan had me arrange to visit the training

     grounds down in Dover Plains, NY two

     days before the hunt test.  In this photo,

     Wyeth is on point.  Notice the extremely

     thick cover.   During her hour of

     training, Wyeth found five of the six

     planted chukkars!  (Jan called her off

     before she even had a chance to point

     the sixth; end on a good note!)

First day of the hunt test. In this photo, Jan is walking with the judge ... while Wyeth is out hunting.  No luck taking a picture of Wyeth.  Spectators, aka "the gallery", are not permitted on the actual test grounds ... and the ground cover did not lend itself well for photographing. 

What a remarkable little dog.  Hitting the road every day at 3:30 am to make it to the hunt test by 8:30 am.  Open the truck door.  Ask her to find the birds with barely 15 minutes to stretch her legs.  Out she goes, with Jan's firm command.  Once she arrives at the bird field, she loses all interest in her "brace mate" (dogs go out in twos).  She has one thing on her mind.  BIRDS.  

Jan has always said that she breeds hunting dogs.  I mean, after all, that's why - initially - she didn't want to sell me a pup.  Right?  I didn't fit the criteria.  And now, as I sit at my desk, with the two-day hunt test behind us, I find myself reflecting on just how well my little girl performed.  Nothing short of outstanding.   I have such a better appreciation for the sport of bird hunting.  And, I'm just a little more in awe of Jan and what she has steadfastly stood for over the past 50 years.  The hunting dog.

Here, Jan leads Wyeth out of the bird field following her first successful qualifying test.

Thank you, Jan Nahorn.  

Job well done. 

I won't forget you.

And so, I guess it's my turn to" step up to the plate" with Wyeth's training.        Our story will continue.   Promise.

- Mandy

P.S.  Thank you to Mike Holomanoff of the East Mountain Shooting Preserve for allowing us to come down a few days early to visit his property and plant birds.  You were extremely helpful!   (Love the hat, too!)

I would also like to thank the Sleepy Hollow German Shorthair Club (SHGSP)

for their graciousness.  We thoroughly enjoyed last weekend.   To learn more about the SHGSP club, click here.   My best to Sue Prohaska, a SHGSP Director;  you helped make my first hunt test experience a fun, positive one!  See you next year ...

September 26, 2010

  Phoebe and Wyeth emerges from the 1.5 mile run

  through the water and woods to enter the obstacle course ...

Thanks, Phoebe - I owe you one!

Okay, so this is one of those times that I have to confess for the greater good.  Just have to clear my conscience.

I entered Wyeth in this year's Green Mountain Iron Dog competition because I thought it would be something fun for the two of us to do.  A departure from the "hunting thing" just for a day.  My dear friend, Debbie Danforth was involved in the event and so I thought, "What the heck, I can run".   I mean, really, how hard could it be? 

Phoebe agreed to come with me for moral support, perhaps even a little coaching.  (She is a superior athlete and I would welcome any last minute advice she could offer.)  We got to Camp Dudley early to practice a bit on the obstacles. All three of us - Debbie, Phoebe and I - took turns trying to coax my little girl over, under and through all the challenges. 

A bit later it was time to take a "course walk through" without dogs.  Debbie graciously offered to take Wyeth and work with her on a gentle leader (Wyeth has never run with someone on a leash;  this new leader was going to be the trick!)  while Phoebe walked with me during our dry run.   Phoebe must have seen how nervous I was ... and, admittingly, out of breath, because she took my hand, pulling me up the hill at one point.   This race was not the walk-in-the-park that I thought it was going to be.   I was exhausted and it wasn't even the actual event.  Oh my gosh, now I was really nervous. 

Then it happened.  Phoebe turned to me and said that she would be happy

to run with Wyeth.  Not to worry, she said - she'd take care of things ... which really meant that she was taking care of me!  I remember a huge sigh of relief ...

all of a sudden, I was enjoying the morning.  I was having a great day!

Phoebe wasn't dressed for the part.  Her Chuck Taylor All-Star sneakers, cordoroy pants, golf shirt. 

But she did it.  And they completed the entire course, completing every obstacle except one.  (You're allowed to skip one - she chose the horse-like jump that's about 4 feet high.  Good move, I muttered to myself, forgetting how much of a wimp I was earlier). 

Amazing.  My little puppy out did herself once again.  Rising to every strange challenge.  And, with a wierd "halter" over her nose!

And as for Phoebe.  What can I say? She really bailed me out of this jam.  I owe her BIG time.   I think I'll start by buying her a new pair of Chucks;  hers are ruined. 

- Mandy

P.S.  Phoebe ... thanks for being my best friend and always having my back ;)

At the end of the race, the handler has to carry his or her dog -  after jumping over that last obstacle - to the finish line. 

Wyeth weighs more than half of Phoebe! 

More photos are posted on the Photo Gallery page;  our very own John Louria

of The Paddle Crew ran his golden retriever, Chai - John came in second in

his age group!  Congratulations, Handsome John!